For a comprehensive overview of the year that was, including financial results and milestones, see the Local Buying Program’s Queensland FY19 Annual Summary.

For more information on the Local Buying Program in Queensland please contact your local C-Res Business Development Advisor, Jessie Appleton, via email jessie.appleton@c-res.com.au or visit our website.

Holistic health and safety front of mind for supplier

You may wonder how a local Mackay Psychology business would be relevant to BMA Hay Point Coal Terminal and what they would be utilized through the Local Buying Program for?

But after an increase in positive results for all different drug classes across site, part of the Health and Safety teams’ strategy to rectify this was to get their employees educated. Looking for something different to the usual Drug and Alcohol training provided when doing inductions, BMA Hay Point Coal Terminal contacted Nutricula Psychology.

Nutricula Psychology offer a range of different services including organizational consulting and corporate training.

Site wanted to encompass all aspects of Drug and Alcohol use and the effects that it has both short and long term. Nutricula Psychology’s Paul and Tertia Potgieter’s training goes into specific detail of what happens to your body and mind on a chemical level and what it means.

Health Specialist at BMA Hay Point Coal Terminal, Michelle Wright said since the training, the feedback from attendees had been fantastic.

“Different work groups have been making comment on how engaging the training is, with some starting to change their lifestyle from what Paul has said,” Ms Wright said.

This is an example of all the different work that can go through the Local Buying Program, Not only does it support local businesses but also offers BHP/BMA/BMC employees an opportunity to use the services of a supplier not on their usual vendor list.

Springsure business tables great plan for upcycling

Foot and Barrett Mitre 10 joined the Local Buying Program in September last year.

Based in the Central Highlands community of Springsure, this small family owned and operated business has since received a number of work opportunities from the LBP through both the Request for Quote (RFQ) and Sole Source function.

BMA Blackwater Mine was looking to refurbish their crib rooms by purchasing new chairs and also creating a durable top for their fold-up tables. They approached the project, through the Local Buying Program, in order to target all relevant suppliers in the region that could deliver what they needed.

Foot and Barrett Mitre 10 were successful across the entire project, thanks to their competitive pricing, reliability and quality assurance.

By using the Program’s RFQ function, the BHP Buyer was able to compare prices of local suppliers quickly and easily and the economic benefit to the Foot and Barrett Mitre 10 business – as well as the broader community because the funds stayed local – was significant.

TABLING SOLUTIONS: Foot and Barrett Mitre 10, in Springsure, were able to find a cost-effective, timely and responsible means of upgrading crib room facilities with upcycled tables.

Small businesses talk big ideas

The Isaac Region’s Small Business Week is always a standout program and this year did not disappoint.

With a total of 22 events held throughout the region, across six Isaac communities, local businesses were able to take up the free and heavily- subsidised workshops. These events were made possible, in part, thanks to funding from the Local Buying Foundation.

The Isaac Regional Council’s workshops covered topics including HR and legal basics, tendering, business basics, single touch payroll, social media marketing, and staff attraction and retention.

There was also a range of different networking events held across the region organized by GW3 including the Clermont ‘Ideas to Enterprise’ Forum and the Business Resilience Workshop in Moranbah.

In Dysart, Middlemount and Nebo, GW3 also hosted round-table networking events to meet with other local Isaac businesses and stakeholders.

With about 200 people attending the various events, small businesses were able to build their capabilities and capacity with information from professionals who were both local and out of region presenters.

Standout events included the Dysart Networking Breakfast, which hosted Department of Small Business, Education and Training’s Sally Simpson. Ms Simpson informed the attendees on all the available assistance packages available to small businesses and employees.

Feedback from the GW3 events was strong, with most commenting about the relaxed atmosphere of the networking events and that they offered opportunities to connect with other local businesses and also business groups and stakeholders.

IN BUSINESS: Small Business Week attracted strong interest throughout the Isaac Region, with events aimed specifically at equipping business operators with the skills and know-how needed to make a go of their ventures.

QLD C-Res crew picks up its pace in community involvement

On the first day of winter, a group of enthusiastic C-Res employees, along with 1400 others, braved a cold and early morning to participate in the BMA Mackay Marina Run. This great family day out held five events from the 3km junior dash to the 21.1km Half Marathon.

The Local Buying Program was used for the event to engage local suppliers for a range of different services including marquee hire, face painting, sports massage, catering, balloon twisting and photography, as well as planning and signage. With more than $17,000 put through the Local Buying Program to 10 different local suppliers, BMA was able to easily engage these small businesses to support a popular community event and a worthwhile cause.

The Mackay Marina Run was a perfect example of how the Local Buying Program could connect small businesses to BHP, BMA and BMC for all sorts of goods and services that are not just mining related.

Although C-Res didn’t take out the corporate cup, they felt like winners, anyway, when they saw all the small local businesses being supported through the Local Buying Program.

ALL SMILES: Team C-Res braved a chilly morning to represent their organisation at the annual Mackay Marina Run in June. The team was made up of, from left, Naomi Hawkins, Kristen Pinnington, Meredith Papas, Debbie Porter, Alison Noon, Sarah Humphries, Christine Ferguson and Melanie Woodman.

RIN Awards showcase industry excellence

Businesses servicing the Queensland resources sector came together at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre for the annual RIN Awards in May.

The awards recognised the outstanding achievements of businesses in the Mackay and surrounding regions operating in mining, energy and resources. Established in 2008, each year the awards showcase excellence in business and the significant contribution that they make to regional economies and communities.

The awards acknowledged businesses for outstanding performance and Local Buying Program suppliers featured strongly as nominees and winners. With many small, locally owned businesses nominated for the awards, C-Res was excited to see two Local Buying Program suppliers taking out top honours on the night.

Local Mackay Business and LBP Supplier, Get Real Work Wear and Safety was awarded the 2019 Standing Out From the Crowd award.

LBP supplier, Mackay Conveyor Equipment, won the 2019 Striving for Diversity award. This award was sponsored by the Local Buying Foundation, so we were very excited to see an LBP named as the winner.

The RIN awards offer a great opportunity for businesses to support other businesses as well as see what others are doing well in their businesses. It is also a chance to network and encourages outstanding achievements among those small businesses who make their livings in the resource sector.

AWARD WINNERS: LBP suppliers, Get Real Work Wear and Safety (at left) was awarded the 2019 Standing Out From the Crowd award; and Mackay Conveyor Equipment – also a Local Buying Program supplier – won the 2019 Striving for Diversity award.

Upcoming events

09 August, 8.00am – 6.00pm | Future Workforces Summit | MACKAY

Join Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) as we lead an important local conversation. Learn from leading futurists about what our region will look like and engage with industry leaders about how to minimise risk and discover new opportunities. Attend the Future Workforces Summit and face our rapidly changing world with confidence. Your transformation starts today.

Getting all your software to work for you as a small business owner is imperative in the day-to-day functionality of your enterprise. Ask yourself: “Do I have the right software in place to efficiently run my business?” If not, then this is the workshop for you. You’ll learn about the best software options available and their functions in the following areas – Point-of-Sale (POS), Accounts & payroll, CRM and Social media management

CHDC’s biennial Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards are designed to celebrate the efforts and achievements of our diverse and dedicated business community and recognise their contribution, not only to economic vitality but to creating the strong, healthy, vibrant regional community that is the Central Highlands.

Local Buying Foundation – Building Business Communities

LBF Initiatives:

Bridging the Boundaries: Business Facilitator Program is an LBF strategic initiative with Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) and Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3). The project equates to over $1 Million over three years providing business facilitator resources to build the capacity of small businesses in both Central Highlands and Isaac business communities. The Foundation Project Officer will continue to work with GW3 to progress research into the Mackay region for this initiative. Business Facilitators were pivotal in the successful delivery of Small Business Week events during May across the Central Highlands and Isaac regions. For more information on this initiative visit www.localbuyingfoundation.com.au

LBF Project Updates:

107 Projects has been approved by the Local Buying Foundation Advisory Committee since inception, amounting to $2,758,787 which supports activities building capability and capacity in the Central Highlands, Isaac and Mackay local government areas.

Bowen Basin Business Development Initiative

The Bowen Basin Business Development Initiative (BBBDI) Strategy 2018 – 2019 is now available at www.bbbdi.com.au.

The BBBDI Strategy provides a framework for organisations and key stakeholders to assist in the planning and delivery of business development activities.

The Local Buying Foundation is proud to support this initiative as it is a critical document utilised by the Local Buying Foundation Advisory Committee when assessing funding applications for future projects and events.

See what is happening around Australia with LBP

Local Buying Program Highlights (April – June 2019) and FY19 Annual Summaries: